Build a retaining wall

When it comes to choosing a retaining wall to hold back runoff in a terraced area, there are a lot of choices. Concrete walls are particularly popular because they are easy to use and come in a nice selection of natural shades and a variety of shapes and textures that enhance a landscape. Stacking concrete blocks with an interlocking lip or tongue-and-groove system is a good choice, especially if this is your first landscaping project.

Building a retaining wall is tough work that takes time. It involves laying out the design, digging a trench for the blocks and hauling all the materials, including the blocks, soil or pea gravel used for backfill.

A landscaper will charge $1,219, including labor and material, to build a 25-foot square concrete block retaining wall. You can buy the materials for $501, do it yourself and save 59 percent. If more than one level and terracing is needed, and if soil erosion is an issue, consider hiring a landscape architect to design the project. Specify that you want to use materials designed for a do-it-yourselfer, and get recommendations for the type of plantings to use. For a nominal fee, some garden and lawn centers offer this design service if you buy the materials from them.

To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Pro Cost -- DIY Cost -- Pro time -- DIY Time -- DIY Savings -- Percent Saved

$1,219 -- $501 -- 12.3 -- 14.0 -- $718 -- 59 Percent

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